GO HARD, LOSE LARD
High intensity is more than a fad: CrossFit-style workouts can demolish fat, according to a study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. In the study, men who trained at high intensity for 10 weeks lost 4% of body fat on average.

DID YOU KNOW
69 percent of Americans still think a low-fat diet is more beneficial for health than a diet low in carbs.

STRENGTH BY NUMBERS
British researchers polled 102 strength and conditioning trainers and found that the best fitness strategy is to set number-based goals, not visual ones. So instead of picturing rock-hard abs, set your sights on being able to deadlift more than your body weight.

WRAP UP YOUR WORKOUT
Wrapping your knees can lead to injury because it creates muscle imbalances. But using those same wraps on your thighs can help build leg strength with loads that are only 30% of what you’re used to lifting, say scientists at the University of Tampa. The reason: Wrapping your thigh boosts muscle activation by restricting bloodflow in your veins but not your arteries.

STATINS AND ALZHEIMER’S
According to a study in JAMA, statins my my reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. The study found that elderly patients who were prescribed statins were 10% less likely to have an Alzheimer’s diagnosis within the next 5 years. The reason: The drug crosses the blood brain barrier to enter the brain, researchers say.

CAFFEINE FOR FUEL
Research from Australia shows that caffeine can help you maintain momentum when your carbohydrate stores are depleted. In the study, tired cyclists who ingested 1.4 milligrams of caffeine per pound of body weight experienced less performance decline than carb-depleted athletes who took a placebo. The reason: Caffeine increases activity in your sympathetic nervous system, producing a flood of adrenaline and increasing your muscles’ capacity for work, regardless of carb availability, says study author.

NEW FOOD LABELS
New food labels could clear up confusion over when your food has gone bad. The government wants food vendors to date products with a best of used by label instead of a sell by or use by date. The USDA says the inconsistent labeling causes confusion and waste. Experts estimate the average family throws away about $1500 year on food that was still safe to eat.

OIL UP CRAVINGS
Technische Universitat Munchen in Germany reports, olive oil may help curb your appetite. Study participants who ate yogurt laced with olive oil had higher levels of serotonin – a hormone associated with fullness – compared with those whose yogurt was plain or spiked with other fats. The reason: Olive oil contains compounds that may slow glucose absorption, which can keep you feeling fuller longer, says study coauthor.